Receptacles



R. A. ERSEK Oct. 17, 1967 RECEPTACLES Filed Oct. 21, 1965 Fig. 3

INVENTQR.

ROBERT A. ERSEK United States Patent 3,346,883 RECEPTACLES Robert A. Ersek, Aidan, Pa., assignor of fifty percent to Louise Sandler, Elkins Park, Pa. Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,541 17 Claims. (Cl. 4-1) The present invention relates to receptacles and more particularly to receptacles used in the collecting, transporting, storing, and disposing of samples of urine, feces, sputum, and the like.

It is the present medical practice to obtain the sample, as for example, urine, from a patient in a glass, plastic, or fiber bottle, being later capped and labelled. These bottles, however, haveoften proved to be awkward to fill, diflicult to manipulate, especially for female patients and children. Also, the usual prior art urine sample bottles are inconvenient for carrying, for example to the doctors ofiice, because they are susceptable to breakage and leakage.

All patients have difiiculty procuring feces samples in the presently employed containers because they must either defecate into these small containers by assuming unnatural positions, or fish the feces out of the toilet bowl with a spoon. Further, the present art containers are subject to contamination by bacteria, fungi, foreign matter, and insects when they are left uncapped after the sample is taken, or while in the laboratory between the various tests.

When samples are needed from children, an adult must be present to help the child fill the container, in the correct manner and the presence of this adult, who may be a strange nurse, often causes delay, as a result of the great anxiety associated with urination and defecation at these younger ages.

The prior art containers have a narrow opening and therefore must be held near to the patients body to be filled and often come into contact with the patients body and are, therefore, subject to contamination.

The glass bottles used in the prior art require cleaning, careful handling, and sterilization.

The volume of the prior art containers is less than the potential volume of the human bladder or colon and overflow onto the patients hand is a constant threat. In addition, the prior art containers, being three dimensional,

require considerable storage space in a large hospital or clinic.

Furthermore, it is the present medical practice to collect urine and other body fluids from urinary catheters or other drains by placing a length of tubing from the drain into a glass or fiber or plastic bottle. This allows contamination from the air and presents the danger of spilling since these containers are often placed on the floor.

In the prior art several different containers are used to collect urine, feces, sputum, and other samples and this requires that the hospital, clinic, or doctor, stock at least one type container for each sample.

The present invention eliminates these problems that exist in the prior art by providing a flexible and disposable receptacle having tabs adjacent the opening thereof by which the receptacle may be suspended and by further providing means for sealing the opening of the bag after the sample has been obtained.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for collecting samples that is simple to use, easily carried, and inexpensive.

Another object is the provision of one receptacle that is.

suitable for all routine samples, such as urine, feces, sputum, exudates, and is adaptable to catheter drainage.

A further object is the provision of a receptacle that is disposable but not susceptable to breakage.

A still further object is the provision of a receptacle which is easily hermetically sealed to avoid leaking and contamination.

Still another object is the provision of a receptacle that does not contact the patients organs and can be stored in a minimal space.

Various other objects and advantages Will appear from the following description of several embodiments of the invention, and the most novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle embodying the present invention;

7 FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the invention of FIG. 1 shown placed on a toilet seat which is also shown in cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of an alternate arrangement for sealing the receptacle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of still another arrangement for sealing the receptacle of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated therein a receptacle generally indicated at 10 constructed of flexible sheet-like material such as polyethylene or the like. The receptacle 10 includes a bag orcontainer portion 10a at one end thereof and a pair of diametrically disposed integral tabs 10b extending from the peripheral or marginal edge of the bag 10a at the open end and constructed of a material similar to that of the bag 10a.

The marginal edge of the open end of the bag 10a is additionally formed with an annular reinforcing rim which serves as a source of rigidity for the opening of the bag 10a in order that it may maintain an oval-shaped opening while being suspended by the tabs 10b, as will be discussed below. This rim 100 is made of the same material as t-he bag 10a but it is understood that it is Within the contemplation of the present invention that the rim 10c may be constructed of amore rigid material appropriately fashioned to the marginal edge of the bag 10a.

The tabs 10b a-re perforated at 20 adjacent rim 100 to facilitate removal of the tabs from the bag 10a when so desired and when used in the environment of FIG. 3, to be discussed below.

The free end of each tab 10b is coated on the outside surface thereof with an appropriate adhesive 30a such as rubber cement or the like and similarly such adhesive 30b coats the interior surface of the bag 10a adjacent the marginal edge thereof for sealing the open end of the bag 10a.

In order to facilitate the handling of the bag 10a and to prevent inadvertant and premature sealing of the open end of the bag 10a, the adhesive coatings 30a and 30b on the tabs and bags are covered with removable protective members 31a and 31b, respectively, these protective members being constructed of glazed paper or the like, commonly known and used in the art.

In operation, the protective members 31a are removed from the adhesive coating 30a on the free ends of the tabs 10b and this adhesive end of the tab 10b is pressed onto the toilet seat 40 or other supporting structure, as in FIG. 2, and the receptacle, 10' is thereby suspended within the toilet bowl in order that the patient may urinate or defecate into the receptacle 10 by assuming his or her usual position. Then, after the sample is deposited into the bag 10a the patient removes the tabs 10b from the toilet seat 40 where they were adhered thereto, and seals the open end of the bag 10a by removing the protective member 31b from the adhesive coating 30b and pressing the thus exposed adhesive coatings 30b of the opposite inner surfaces together. The adhesive coatings 30a on the outer surface of the tabs b are then pressed together and the. tabs 10b then provide a handle means by which the receptacle 10 can be conveniently carried to the laboratory and this handle means will then serve as a hanging means for storage.

When the invention is to be used as a closed catheter drainage system, the operation is as follows: the protective members 31a are removed from the adhesive coating 3'0a on the tabs 10b and looped around a section of the bed frame, or other supporting member, and the adhesive coatings 30a are pressed together, thus forming a hang ing means with the section of bed frame or other supporting structure encompassed within the loop formed by the tabs 10b. The protective member 31b is then removed from the adhesive coating 30b and the tube or hose from the catheter is then inserted into the open end of the bag and the adhesive coating 30b is then pressed together thus joining the opposite inner surfaces of the bag 10a and adhering to and sealing the tube or hose that was previous placed. therein and thus effecting a sterile, close, catheter drainage system.

When the invention is to be used as a sputum collec tion receptacle, the patient will expectorate into the bag 10a seal the bag 10a in the manner described above, remove thetabs 10b by separating them from the bag 10a along the perforations 20. Since the volume of sputum needed is only a few cubic centimeters, there is less need for a handle means than when the other samples are obtained.

When the sample filled bag 10a reaches the laboratory, the contents may be sample-d by merely piercing the bag 10a with a pipette, scoop, or other sample removing device, without opening the bag 10a. As a result contamination of the contents by airborne contaminants during the time that elapses between taking samples from one bag, for multiple tests, is thus eliminated.

It should be observed that the adhesive coating 30b can be applied in two or more annular stripswith a few millimeters of non-adhesive area between them, in order to insure that no wrinkle that might form will communicate the inside of the bag portion with the outside environment.

Additionally, other means for attaching the bag to the toilet seat or other structure, such as wire hooks, thumb tacks, plastic hooks or fittings could also be used without altering the spirit of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3 for an alternative sealing embodiment of the present invention, there is illustrated therein an annular reinforcing rim 100 similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 attached to the marginal edge of bag 10a adjacent the open end thereof. Although rim 100 is illustrated as a separate element it is understood that the rim 100 could be formed integrally with the bag 10a.

A channel member 50 having an interior surface configuration SOa compatible with the annular rim 10c is slidable over the rim 10c, squeezing the same together and thereby mechanically closing and sealing the open end of the bag 10a. Channel member 50 is constructed of a rigid material such as aluminum or the like but it is within the contemplation of the present invention that the member 50 could be constructed of a semi-rigid material such as plastic or the like.

In operation, after the sample is obtained as discussed above, the tabs 10b are removed by tearing along the perforations 20 and the channel member 50 slid over the rim 10c-to seal the open end of bag 10a.

It should be observed that an adhesive coating similar to 30!) could be provided as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide an additional sealing factor to insure against leakage and contamination.

Referring now to FIG. 4 for still another alternative sealing embodiment of the present invention, there is illustrated therein an arcuate reinforcing and sealing member 600 appropriately secured to one half of the marginal edge 10d of the bag 10a adjacent the open end thereof and a complementary reinforcing and sealing member 700 appropriately secured to the remaining marginal edge 10d of the bag 10a. Members 600 and 700 are formed of a semi-rigid material such as plastic or the like and it is considered within the scope of the invention that each of these members could be integrally formed with the bag 10a.

Arcuate member 60c is a portion of a cylinder, the cross section of which is an arc of slightly more than and the inside diameter of which will accommodate the smaller member 70c to exert a retaining force on the smaller member 70c. The arcuate member 700 is also a portion of a cylinder, the cross section of which is also greater than 180. It should be observed that member 70ccould be as much as 360.

In operation, after the sample is obtained as discussed above, the tabs 10b are removed by tearing along the perforations 20 and the arcuate reinforcing and sealing.

member 70c is pressed into the concave surface of the other arcuate reinforcing and sealing member 60c and the retaining force of 600 on 700 effects a tight seal. It is to be appreciated that an appropriate adhesive, as described above, could be applied to the inner surfaces 10d to insure an additional sealing factor.

It is also considered to be within the spirit of the present invention that a large receptacle could be used as a disposable refuse container, as for example as a removable and scalable liner for indoor or outdoor permanent refuse containers or as a disposable receptacle for temporary toilets as are commonly seen in camping trailers and the like.

And the invention can be used for a sanitary means of disposing of contaminated laboratory animals and materials.

Another feature is that the invention can be made of a material, as for example vinyl, that can be written upon and such information as the patients name, address, diagnosis, desired tests, billing information and other instructions. In addition, the removable tabs can also have such information and serve as an accounting means that is convenient and certain.

It will be understood thatvarious other changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangement of parts, which have beenherein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention maybe made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A receptacle for use with a supporting member in the collection, transportation, storage, and disposal of biological samples, comprising:

a moisture-proof container open at one end thereof;

tab means substantially oppositely disposed to each other on said container adjacent said open end; adhesive means on said tab means for securing said tab means to the supporting member;

and means for sealing said open end of said container in a moisture-proof manner.

2. The receptacle as defined in claim 1 further including a protective means removably secured to said adhesive on said tab means:

whereby said protective means is removed prior to the securing of the tab to the supporting member.

3. The receptacle as defined in claim 2 where said sealing means on said open end is an adhesive.

4. The receptacle as defined in claim 3 further including a protective means removably secured to said adhesive:

whereby said protective means is removed prior to sealing said open end of said receptacle.

5. A receptacle for use with a supporting member in the collection, transportation, storage and disposal of biological samples, comprising:

a bag open at one end thereof;

a pair of removable tabs extending from said bag adjacent said open end, said tabs being substantially diametrically disposed from each other;

adhesive means on the surface of said tabs remote from the diametrically disposed tab for securing said tabs to the supporting member;

adhesive means on a portion of the inner surface of said bag adjacent said open end thereof;

an annular reinforcing rim on the outer surface of said "bag adjacent the open end thereof.

6. The receptacle as defined in claim 5 further including: a first protective means removably secured to said adhesive on said tabs:

and a second protective means removably secured to said adhesive on said inner surface of said open end of said bag;

whereby the first protective means is removed prior to the securing of the tab to the supporting member and whereby the second protective means is removed after collecting the biological sample and before sealing the bag.

7. A receptacle for use with a supporting member in the collection, transportation, storage, and disposal of biological samples, comprising:

a bag open at one end thereof;

a pair of tabs extending from said bag adjacent said open end;

adhesive means on the surface of said tabs remote from the other tab for securing said tabs to the supporting surface;

annular means on the outer surface of said bag adjacent the open end thereof;

and means mechanically engaging said annular means for positively sealing said open end of said bag.

8. The receptacle as defined in claim 7 further including adhesive means on a portion of the inner surface of said bag adjacent the open end thereof to provide an additional seal for said open end of said bag.

9. The receptacle as defined in claim 8 wherein said pair of tabs are removable and are substantially diametrically disposed from each other.

10. A receptacle for use with a supporting member in the collection, transportation, storage and disposal of biological samples, comprising:

a container open at one end thereof;

means on said container adjacent said open end for connecting said container to the supporting member, said connecting means being removable;

means for sealing said open end of said container;

annular reinforcing means on the outer surface of said container, adjacent said open end;

means for slidable mechanical interlocking engagement with said annular reinforcing means when said open end is closed, there-by sealing said container.

11. The receptacle as defined in claim 10 wherein said slidable means is a channel member, the interior configuration of which accommodates said annular reinforcing means.

12. The receptacle as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for sealing said open end of said container ineludes adhesive means on a portion of the inner surface of said bag adjacent the open end.

13. The receptacle as defined in claim 11 wherein said connecting means includes tab means extending from said container; and means on said tab means for securing said tab means to the supporting member.

14. The receptacle as defined in claim 13 wherein said securing means on said tab means is an adhesive.

15. A receptacle for use with a supporting member in the collection, transportation, storage and disposal of biological samples, comprising:

a container open at one end thereof;

means on said container, adjacent said open end, connecting said container to the supporting member;

a first arcuate reinforcing means adjacent said open end of said container and extending about a portion of the periphery thereof;

a second arcuate reinforcing means adjacent said open end of said container and extending about the remainder of the periphery thereof, said second arcuate reinforcing means having a diameter less than the diameter of said first arcuate means;

said first arcuate means being greater than 180 and said second arcuate means being not less than 180;

whereby said first arcuate means receives said second arcuate means for sealing said open end of said container;

and adhesive means on a portion of the inner surface of said container adjacent the open end thereof to provide an additional seal for said open end of said container.

16. The receptacle as defined in claim 15 wherein said connecting means includes:

tab means extending from said container;

and means on said t-ab means for securing said tab means to the supporting member.

17. The receptacle as defined in claim 16 wherein said securing means on said tab means is an adhesive.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 393,712 11/1888 Manahan 229-65 514,530 2/ 1894 Whit-temore -5 1,513,395 10/1924 Holmes 150-3 1,898,171 2/1933 Bunnell 150-3 2,067,958 1/ 1937 Wallace 4-142 2,196,185 4/1940 Belcher 229-54 2,394,335 2/ 1946 Shapiro 229-62 2,667,198 1/1954 Klein ISO-2.1 2,689,594 9/1954 Wendt 150-1 2,819,010 1/ 1958 Amiguet 229-62 2,878,849 3/1959 Lingenfelter et a1. 150-3 3,131,403 5/1964 Hill 4-110 3,266,711 8/1966 Song 229-62 FOREIGN PATENTS 706,737 3/1965 Canada. 771,502 4/ 1957 Great Britain. 951,232 3/ 1964 Great Britain.

98,822 10/1961 Norway.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. GEORGE O. RALSTON, D. F. NORTON, Examiners. 

15. A RECEPTACLE FOR USE WITH A SUPPORTING MEMBER IN THE COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES, COMPRISING: A CONTAINER OPEN AT ONE END THEREOF; MEANS ON SAID CONTAINER, ADJACENT SAID OPEN END, CONNECTING SAID CONTAINER TO THE SUPPORTING MEMBER; A FIRST ARCUATE REINFORCING MEANS ADJACENT SAID OPEN END OF SAID CONTAINER AND EXTENDING ABOUT A PORTION OF THE PERIPHERY THEREOF; A SECOND ARCUATE REINFORCING MEANS ADJACENT SAID OPEN END OF SAID CONTAINER AND EXTENDING ABOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, SAID SECOND ARCUATE REINFORCING MEANS HAVING A DIAMETER LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID FIRST ARCUATE MEANS; 